Now, Families Can Feud On Telefutura

MAGALY MORALES ON LATIN TELEVISION

June 26, 2006|MAGALY MORALES ON LATIN TELEVISION

Although it's been billed as the "new" game show on Telefutura, M-?QuM-i Dice la Gente? (What Say the People?), with charismatic host Marco Antonio Regil, is simply a version of the popular game show 100 Mexicanos Dijeron (100 Mexicans Said), the only difference being that it is produced in Miami.

This means that Hispanic families in the United States now have the opportunity to compete in the show -- itself a variation of the classic Family Feud -- and win up to $55,000 in cash prizes.

The Mexican host is thrilled with his contract with Telefutura, and though it is only for 12 months, he's confident the show will be extended.

"The concept, it's universal," he says. "The format itself has been on television for more than 30 years. I think it's popular because it speaks to people of different ages and social spheres. Because these are popular answers to questions about general knowledge, it puts people on the same plane, regardless of their level of education or their age.

"It's one of the few TV programs that can boast about being geared toward the entire family."

Regil says that one of the main challenges he faces as host is managing a more "universal" Spanish. The Hispanic community in the U.S. is made up of many nationalities, each with its share of unique idioms and expressions.

To avoid misunderstandings, Regil jokes, he always keeps a dictionary handy. He also relies on the support of a production team as diverse as the audience.

"They come from different places," he says. "Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico. All those differences are really hilarious. Sometimes the contestants answer with words which I don't have the slightest idea of what they mean."

There is one more difference: "The sense of humor is a little different, the differences between the nationalities give way to confusion and more jokes, but the enthusiasm is the same."

M-?QuM-i Dice la Gente? airs at 7 weeknights on WAMI-Ch. 69.

VARIETY SHOW: One of Carlos Vives' first loves was television. During the late 1980s in his native Colombia, he starred in the telenovela Gallito RamM-mrez and the series Escalona, which aired on Telemundo.

Now, the popular singer returns to the small screen, but this time as the host of a variety program produced and transmitted on local station MegaTV in Miami.

Sissi Freitas, the former SM-abado Gigante model, is rumored to be in negotiations to take part in the program, which may premiere in September.

Magaly Morales writes for Tribune Media Services. She can be reached at 954-717-4154 or Mmorales_LatinTV@Comcast.net.